Nigerian Football
Iheanacho, Ndidi and Leicester Stars Hit by Covid-19 Scare
The pre-season preparations of Arsenal and Leicester City have been hit by Covid-19.
According to Daily Mail of UK, the Gunners have been working to contain an outbreak at their Colney training ground, while a number of Foxes players from across the age groups are thought to be isolating.
Arsenal’s first team are in Scotland at a training camp. Those first-teamers yet to head north of the border were told to steer clear of their London base after concerns were raised last week.
It is understood that the alert was triggered by what the club have described as a ‘small number’ of positive tests which sent a group of number of academy players into quarantine.
Arsenal are confident that each case was transmitted away from the training ground and those that have been infected are said to be coping well.
The Gunners have, however, postponed two friendly matches for their Under 18s and Under 23s.
They had carried out extensive work at Colney to ensure there is no cross contamination between the various bubbles and the women’s first team are continuing to train at the venue.
At Leicester, issues with players coming back from abroad have affected preparations but the club’s training ground remains open.
Sources have disclosed that top flight sides are having to deal with a logistical nightmare amid the latest spike in cases and the numbers of players coming back from summer holidays.
An Arsenal spokesperson said: ‘There have been a small number of positive tests at London Colney which has required some U23 and U18 players to quarantine.
‘All these positives were transmitted off site and the players are well. However, to protect our players and opponents, two friendly matches for the U23s and U18s have been cancelled.
‘Our London Colney training ground has undergone extensive work to help ensure there is no cross contamination between our various football bubbles. The men’s first team squad are unaffected as they are currently in Scotland. The women’s first team squad also continue to train as normal.’
Remo Stars on Saturday made it two straight wins in the Nigeria Premier League after labouring to a 1-0 defeat of Sunshine Stars of Akure to follow-up their last weekend 2-0 away win over Abia Warriors.
On Saturday, under eight minutes they shot ahead through Shuaibu Ibrahim. That was where the story ended as Sunshine Stars came up strongly and almost stalemated scores.
The win, though narrow, is enough to temporarily take Remo Stars to the top of the log after two games.
They are followed by Rivers United who beat Heartland 3-1. It is the second consecutive 3-1 loss that Heartland are getting in the two-week old season.
The situation could change on Sunday when other matches are played.
On the card are: Akwa United hosting Abia Warriors while Kano Pillars will be away to Bayelsa United.
Katsina United host Bendel Insurance and Niger Tornadoes will be home to Nasarawa United. Shooting Stars will host Plateau United.
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, who was in Arnhem, Netherlands.
Former Nigeria manager, Clemens Westerhof has recommended one of his former players, Samson Siasia as the substantial coach for the Super Eagles.
Siasia was one of his players of the famed golden generation of the Super Eagles.
“I called him last month to greet him for his birthday and also to celebrate with him for the end of his five-year ban”, Westerhof told Sports Village Square at his house in Arnhem in the Netherlands.
According to him, Siasia is just like Keshi and that he has the capacity to turn the Super Eagles around for the better. Westerhof, the author of the famed ‘Golden Generation’ of the Super Eagles made his suggestion shortly after Germany’s Bruce Labbadia turned down the Nigerian job offer.
Westerhof remarked that he was surprised about the choice of Labbadia in the first instance and that the now Mali coach, Tom Saintfiet who is his friend could have been a better choice.
Saintfiet, a Belgian, was speculated among the coaches initially short-listed for the Super Eagles’ job. But Westerhof, before the naming of Austin Eguavoen, another member of his famous 1994 squad, strongly back Siasia for the job.
He remarked that he was in touch with the former striker as well as Austin Okocha whom he met with in London recently.
To Westerhof, Siasia has the same quality like Stephen Keshi to handle the Super Eagles. “He has done it before and I think he can still do it.”
The balls hit the nets 17 times this Sunday as the Nigeria Premier League Season 2024/25 burst into life this Sunday.
The first of the goals was from Plateau United’s Olawale Doyeni who converted a 24th minute penalty kick against Katsina United in an eventual 1-0 home win.
Another star-man of the the day is Enyimba’s Clinton Jephta who has become the season’s first hat-trickster. His three goals in the 65th , 70th and 73rd minutes sank heartland 3-1 in their home match.
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